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19 Days to Gator Football – #19 Ike Hilliard (’94-’96)

Isaac Jason Hilliard, from Patterson, Louisiana, was one half of the greatest Gator receiver tandem, with the other half being Reidel Anthony. Ike played wideout under Steve Spurrier, where he was part of three SEC championship teams in 1994-1996. As a junior in 1996, he and Reidel both posted 1,000-yard seasons and were both named consensus 1st team All-Americans and All-SEC. His final year in Gainesville was his finest–his famous catch sealed the 52-20 win over Florida State in the 1997 Sugar Bowl, and he set three bowl records including his 150-yard total, an 82-yard reception, and 3 touchdowns. He finished his college career with 126 receptions for 2,214 yards and 29 touchdowns. After retiring from the NFL in 2008 due to neck injury, he was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Association as a Gator Great.